DUQUOIN, Ill. – The DuQuoin State Fairgrounds was filled with 162 local 4-H and FFA youth from 20 counties at the annual livestock and dairy judging contest in mid-March. Livestock judging is the evaluation of an animal's characteristics and making a comparison to other animals and the ideal standard of that particular class.

For 4-H, prizes were awarded to the top three scores within the junior and senior categories. For FFA, this event is the section 24 judging contest.. The 2024 winners included:

FFA Livestock Judging Team

• First place – Vandalia High School - Marcus Benning, Alexi Hartlieb, Bryce Hartlieb, Ross Miller, Parker Ray, and Kanon Wollerman
• Second place – Anna Jonesboro – Hunter Craft, Ella Helton, Anastazia Kerr, Jason McAlister, and Layne Murray
• Third place – Hamilton County JV – Calynn Clark, Cole Hanson, Larsen Hunt, and Cohen White

FFA Livestock (Individual Competition)

• First place – Bryce Hartlieb (Vandalia – Fayette County)
• Second place – Alexi Hartlieb (Vandalia – Fayette County)
• Third place – Carly Duchene (Waterloo – Monroe County)

FFA Dairy Judging Team

• First place – Trico – Maggie Beaty-Dingus, Palynn Fager, Itzel Mondragon, and Rylie Robinson
• Second place – Dongola – Mason Kissiar, Rilee Lytle, Tristan Riley, Jesse Welch, Lillian Vunstwadl
• Third place – Crab Orchard Varsity  – Brylee Craig, Raven Duty, Olivia Stover, Blaine Taylor, and Miky Upchurch

FFA Dairy (Individual Competition)

• First place – Brylee Craig (Crab Orchard)
• Second place – Michael Dickey (Randolph County) 
• Third place – Tristan Riley (Dongola)

4-H Junior Livestock Team

• First place – Washington County White Team – Brylan Ledford, Milly Haege, Maylen Kramper, and Easton Braddy
• Second place – Franklin County Mudrunners Team – Eli Newbury, Kate Newbury, Colt Tepovich, and Ella Tepovich
• Third place – Washington County Blue Team –  Khloe Geppert, Mckenzie Hornbustel, and Tyler Lilenkamp

4-H Senior Livestock Team

• First place – Coles, Effingham, and Jasper counties – Emma Beckman, Kaylin Nolte, Grant Ochs
• Second place – Wayne County – Allison Ellis, Ava Lewis, Lily Simpson, and Kamryn Trowbridge
• Third place – Crawford County – Wyatt Draper, Kaylin Jordan, and Colbi Pethel

4-H Junior Livestock (Individual Competition)

• First place – Delia Haberlin (Crawford County)
• Second place – Easton Braddy (Washington County)
• Third place – Colt Tepovich (Franklin County)

4-H Senior Livestock (Individual Competition)

• First place – Emma Beckman (Effingham County)
• Second place – Wyatt Draper (Crawford County)
• Third place – Logan Lehde (Randolph County)

4-H Junior Dairy (Individual Competition)

• First place – Cody Corn (Jefferson County)
• Second place – Clara Kozuszek (Jefferson County)

4-H Senior Dairy (Individual Competition)

• First place – Maggie Beaty-Dingus (Jackson County)
• Second place – Mackenna Wesseln (Perry County)
• Third place – Loughlyn Kurtz (Randolph County)

The event teaches youth how to evaluate livestock that will enter the food system, and many of the participating youth will go on to showcase their own livestock at local fairs this summer. For more information on how to get involved with 4-H in your community, visit 4h.extension.illinois.edu.